If you haven't heard how high cholesterol levels can lead to a heart attack or stroke then chances are you have been on a deserted island, in a comma, or just coming out of cryofreeze. We all know this but yet for some reason most of us can't quite seem to stay away from those high cholesterol tasty delights such as those very affordable $1 sandwiches, fried foods, or processed meats. Not only do these types of foods clog our arteries they also have helped the United States gain the title of fattest country in the world.

Nothing better than winning awards, right?

So the truth is we need to take it down a notch or two by reducing our cholesterol levels thus taking a giant step towards reducing our chances of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

Some might argue that they don't need to be concerned since they have their trusty statin and/or bile acid sequestrants to do the heavy lifting for them. The truth of the matter is that these drugs not only have serious side effect risks but require at least a moderate amount of diet modification to be effective.

Now why don't we get down to business and explore seven great ways to lower cholesterol naturally.

*Eat more fiber: Sounds like something straight out the nursing home manual for resident success but in fact we all need our fiber. Foods like oatmeal, apples, pears, flax bread, oatmeal, whole grain cereals, and barley bind with cholesterol in the gastrointestinal tract and ship in right out the old pooper causing your heart breath a temporary sigh of relief.

*Stay active: According to the American Heart Association staying active through exercise can alter your cholesterol levels by pushing up your good cholesterol (HDL) and pushing down your bad cholesterol (LDL).

*Choose your fats wisely: Monosaturated and polyunsaturated fats are generally considered to be relatively heart healthy and reduce internal inflammation. Oils that fall into this category are olive, canola, walnut, and sesame seed. The AHA suggests keeping your total cholesterol intake under 30 percent of calories, saturated fat under 7 percent, and trans fats eliminated altogether.

*Veggies and fruit: We all know these are heart healthy choices that are excellent sources of antioxidants, cholesterol lowering phytochemicals, and fiber but the trick to send high cholesterol packing is to increase fruits and vegetables while reducing fatty foods. For example meat servings should be held under 4 oz with the rest of the meal consisting of fruits and vegetables.

*Get Nutty: Nuts contain the omega 3 fatty acid ALA that is converted to heart healthy DHA and EPA. Walnuts seem to be the best but almonds and peanuts are excellent choices as well. One word of caution, nuts are high in calories and should be eaten in moderation.

*Load up on the magical fruit: We have all heard that rhyme about beans, flatulence, and fruit but once you move past the stereotype what you have is an inexpensive cholesterol lowering option packed with nutrients.

*Pass the guacamole please: Who would have thought that avocados would make it onto our seven great ways to lower cholesterol naturally but here they are. Believe it or not avocados only contain 0.5 grams of saturated fat with the rest being cholesterol lowering monosaturated fats plus cholesterol neutral polyunsaturated fats making them a heart healthy choice worth considering.

Rob D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic consumer advocate for natural health and natural living with over 10 years experience in the field. To discover more about high cholesterol, cholesterol lowering foods, along with information about safe and effective natural cholesterol reducing supplements Click Here

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